You are cordially invited to attend a Press Conference for the opening ceremony of the Cambodian Youth Arts Festivals 2010 (CYAF 2010) on August 3, 2010, aimed to open the curtain to allow audiences to enjoy, understand, and learn about their artistic heritage which has almost faced extinction. Well-known masters such as Kong Nay, a Cambodian living treasure and master player of the chapei, or long neck guitar, Ieng Sithul, former Khmer Opera artist, and Hun Pen who will dance a recent classical dance creation, called Tevak Srey Sou, will be among the many artists to present their art forms.
During the conference, Hnuch Heun, a renowned Mem performer, will show a unique music form belonging to Kreung indigenous group. The mem instrument, currently preserved by UNESCO and the Department of Culture and Fine Arts in Ratanakiri province, has only one string, attached at the bottom of the instrument and then drawn up to the tuning pegs which are made of bamboo and can take different shapes.

I hope you will join us August 3 for the press conference about this exciting festival. Following the conference at 7:00pm we will have a benefit concert for the festival. The concert will feature two of the lead international stars of the popular Khmer Rock Opera, Where Elephants Weep, and will include songs from the opera and the popular Broadway musical, West Side Story.

NOTE: Cambodia Living Arts, together with 23 other arts groups from around Cambodia and the world, will host the Cambodian Youth Arts Festivals 2010 (CYAF 2010) from 7th to 12th August 2010 at Chaktomuk Theatre presided over by H. E. Him Chhem, Minister of Culture and Fine Arts. 500 artists from different places will perform various art forms, both modern and classical. 3500 audience members, both young and old alike, are expected to attend the five night festival and learn more about our rare and beloved arts heritage.